10405267

Cell Detection, Identification, and Measurements for Small Cell Deployments

PublishedSeptember 3, 2019
Assigneenot available in USPTO data we have
Technical Abstract

Patent Claims
14 claims

Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.

Claim 1

Original Legal Text

1. A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) comprising a processor and a memory, the processor being configured to: receive a configuration comprising a first set of resources associated with a serving cell and a second set of resources associated with the serving cell; receive a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) transmission, wherein the PDCCH transmission indicates which of the first set of resources or the second set of resources associated with the serving cell is active; determine reference signals to use for radio link monitoring (RLM) based on the received PDCCH transmission, wherein first reference signals are used for RLM when the first set of resources associated with the serving cell is active and second reference signals are used when the second set of resources associated with the serving cell is active; and perform RLM measurements using the first reference signals if the first set of resources is active or perform RLM measurements using the second reference signals if the second set of resources is active; determine a radio link quality based on RLM measurements of at least one of the first reference signals or the second reference signals; indicate to a higher layer of the WTRU that the WTRU is in-sync based on a determination that the radio link quality is higher than a first threshold; and indicate to the higher layer of the WTRU that the WTRU is out-of-sync based on a determination that the radio link quality is lower than a second threshold.

Plain English Translation

A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) includes a processor and memory to manage radio link monitoring (RLM) for a serving cell. The WTRU receives a configuration defining two sets of resources for the serving cell and a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) transmission indicating which set is active. Based on the PDCCH, the WTRU selects reference signals for RLM: first reference signals when the first set is active, and second reference signals when the second set is active. The WTRU performs RLM measurements using the selected reference signals and determines radio link quality. If the quality exceeds a first threshold, the WTRU reports an in-sync status to higher layers; if it falls below a second threshold, it reports an out-of-sync status. This system enables dynamic adaptation of RLM based on active resources, improving reliability in varying network conditions. The invention addresses the challenge of maintaining accurate radio link monitoring in environments where different resource configurations may be used for communication.

Claim 2

Original Legal Text

2. The WTRU of claim 1 , wherein the first reference signals and the second reference signals are received via different sets of resources.

Plain English Translation

A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) is configured to receive reference signals from a base station to assist in channel estimation and synchronization. The WTRU receives a first set of reference signals and a second set of reference signals, where these signals are transmitted via different sets of resources. The different resource sets may include distinct time, frequency, or code-domain allocations to avoid interference and improve signal quality. The WTRU processes these reference signals to estimate channel conditions, adjust transmission parameters, and maintain synchronization with the base station. The use of separate resource sets for the reference signals helps mitigate interference and enhances the reliability of channel estimation, particularly in environments with high signal variability or multi-path fading. This approach is useful in wireless communication systems where accurate channel state information is critical for efficient data transmission and reception. The WTRU may further apply the estimated channel information to optimize its transmission and reception strategies, improving overall system performance.

Claim 3

Original Legal Text

3. The WTRU of claim 2 , wherein the resources comprise physical resource blocks (PRBs).

Plain English Translation

A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) is configured to receive downlink control information (DCI) from a base station, where the DCI includes an indication of resources allocated for uplink transmission. The WTRU determines the allocated resources based on the DCI and transmits uplink data using those resources. The resources are specifically defined as physical resource blocks (PRBs), which are the fundamental units of resource allocation in a wireless communication system. The WTRU may also receive additional configuration information, such as a resource allocation type, which specifies how the PRBs are assigned (e.g., contiguous or non-contiguous blocks). The WTRU processes the DCI to extract the resource allocation details and adjusts its transmission parameters accordingly. This method ensures efficient use of uplink resources while maintaining compatibility with existing wireless communication standards. The system is designed to optimize resource utilization in scenarios where dynamic allocation of PRBs is required, such as in high-traffic or latency-sensitive applications. The WTRU may further include mechanisms to handle conflicts or overlaps in resource allocation, ensuring reliable uplink transmission.

Claim 4

Original Legal Text

4. The WTRU of claim 3 , wherein one of the first set or the second reference signals are received via discovery resources.

Plain English Translation

A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) is configured to receive and process reference signals for wireless communication. The WTRU receives a first set of reference signals and a second set of reference signals, where the first set is associated with a first transmission mode and the second set is associated with a second transmission mode. The WTRU determines a channel state based on the received reference signals and selects a transmission mode for uplink or downlink communication based on the determined channel state. The WTRU then transmits or receives data using the selected transmission mode. In some cases, one of the reference signal sets is received via discovery resources, which are preconfigured or dynamically allocated time-frequency resources used for device discovery or synchronization in wireless networks. The WTRU may use these reference signals to optimize communication efficiency, reduce interference, or improve signal quality in wireless networks. The reference signals may include synchronization signals, channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS), or other pilot signals used for channel estimation and link adaptation. The WTRU may operate in various wireless communication systems, such as cellular networks, IoT networks, or machine-type communication (MTC) systems.

Claim 5

Original Legal Text

5. The WTRU of claim 1 , wherein the PDCCH transmission indicates a state associated with the serving cell, wherein, in a first state associated with the serving cell, the first set of resources is active, and, in a second state associated with the serving cell, the second set of resources associated with the serving cell is active.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically to a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) that dynamically activates different sets of resources based on control signaling from a serving cell. The problem addressed is efficient resource management in wireless networks, where static resource allocation can lead to inefficiencies or suboptimal performance. The WTRU monitors a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) transmission from the serving cell, which indicates a state associated with the serving cell. The WTRU operates in at least two distinct states: a first state where a first set of resources is active and a second state where a second set of resources is active. The PDCCH transmission dynamically switches the WTRU between these states, allowing the network to adapt resource allocation based on current conditions, such as traffic load, interference, or quality of service requirements. The first set of resources may include specific frequency bands, time slots, or modulation schemes optimized for certain conditions, while the second set of resources may include different configurations tailored for other scenarios. This dynamic switching enables the WTRU to efficiently utilize available resources, improving overall system performance and reducing unnecessary resource consumption. The invention enhances flexibility in wireless communication systems by allowing the network to control resource allocation in real-time.

Claim 6

Original Legal Text

6. The WTRU of claim 1 , wherein the first reference signals comprise a first type of signal and a second type of signal.

Plain English Translation

A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) is configured to receive and process reference signals from a network to improve communication reliability and efficiency. The WTRU receives first reference signals, which include two distinct types of signals. The first type of signal may be used for channel estimation, synchronization, or other purposes, while the second type of signal may serve a different function, such as tracking or interference measurement. The WTRU processes these signals to determine channel conditions, optimize transmission parameters, or enhance signal quality. The WTRU may also transmit second reference signals to the network, which the network uses for similar purposes. The WTRU may adjust its transmission power, modulation scheme, or other parameters based on the received reference signals to maintain reliable communication. The WTRU may also switch between different communication modes or protocols based on the reference signals. The system improves signal accuracy, reduces interference, and enhances overall network performance by dynamically adapting to changing conditions.

Claim 7

Original Legal Text

7. The WTRU of claim 1 , wherein the second set of resources associated with the serving cell is not active.

Plain English Translation

A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) is configured to manage radio resource allocation in a cellular network, particularly when transitioning between different cells or states. The WTRU monitors a first set of resources associated with a serving cell and a second set of resources associated with a neighboring cell. The second set of resources is not active, meaning they are either unused or deactivated, which may occur during cell reselection, handover, or idle mode operation. The WTRU determines whether to use the second set of resources based on predefined criteria, such as signal quality, load conditions, or network policies. If the criteria are met, the WTRU may activate or allocate the second set of resources to optimize performance, reduce interference, or improve energy efficiency. This approach ensures efficient resource utilization while maintaining seamless connectivity during cell transitions. The WTRU may also report resource usage or availability to the network to facilitate dynamic adjustments. The invention addresses challenges in resource management during cell transitions, particularly when dealing with inactive or underutilized resources in neighboring cells.

Claim 8

Original Legal Text

8. The WTRU of claim 1 , wherein the first set of resources associated with the serving cell corresponds to the first reference signals and the second set of resources associated with the serving cell corresponds to the second reference signals.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically to a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) configured to manage reference signal measurements for cell selection or reselection. The problem addressed is the need for efficient and accurate reference signal-based measurements to determine the best serving cell in a wireless network. The WTRU is designed to receive and process reference signals from a serving cell, where the serving cell transmits two distinct sets of reference signals. The first set of resources is associated with the first reference signals, and the second set of resources is associated with the second reference signals. These reference signals are used to assess the quality of the wireless link between the WTRU and the serving cell. The WTRU measures these signals to determine the best available cell for communication, ensuring optimal network performance and reliability. The distinction between the two sets of reference signals allows for more precise and flexible measurements, improving the accuracy of cell selection or reselection decisions. This approach enhances the overall efficiency of wireless communication by ensuring the WTRU connects to the most suitable cell based on the measured signal quality.

Claim 9

Original Legal Text

9. A method performed by a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), comprising: receiving a configuration comprising a first set of resources associated with a serving cell and a second set of resources associated with the serving cell; receiving a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) transmission, wherein the PDCCH transmission indicates which of the first set of resources or the second set of resources associated with the serving cell is active; determining reference signals to use for radio link monitoring (RLM) based on the received PDCCH transmission, wherein first reference signals are used for RLM when the first set of resources associated with the serving cell is active and second reference signals are used when the second set of resources associated with the serving cell is active; performing RLM measurements using the first reference signals if the first set of resources is active or performing RLM measurements using the second reference signals if the second set of resources is active; determining a radio link quality based on RLM measurements of at least one of the first reference signals or the second reference signals; indicating to a higher layer of the WTRU that the WTRU is in-sync based on a determination that the radio link quality is higher than a first threshold; and indicating to the higher layer of the WTRU that the WTRU is out-of-sync based on a determination that the radio link quality is lower than a second threshold.

Plain English Translation

A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) receives a configuration that includes two sets of resources associated with a serving cell. The WTRU also receives a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) transmission that indicates which of the two resource sets is active. Based on the PDCCH transmission, the WTRU determines which reference signals to use for radio link monitoring (RLM). If the first set of resources is active, the WTRU uses first reference signals for RLM, and if the second set of resources is active, the WTRU uses second reference signals. The WTRU then performs RLM measurements using the appropriate reference signals. The radio link quality is determined based on these measurements. If the radio link quality exceeds a first threshold, the WTRU indicates to a higher layer that it is in-sync. If the radio link quality falls below a second threshold, the WTRU indicates to the higher layer that it is out-of-sync. This method allows dynamic adaptation of RLM based on the active resource set, improving reliability in varying network conditions.

Claim 10

Original Legal Text

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the first reference signals and the second reference signals are received via different sets of resources.

Plain English Translation

A system and method for wireless communication involves transmitting and receiving reference signals to improve channel estimation and signal quality in a wireless network. The technology addresses challenges in accurately estimating wireless channels, particularly in environments with interference or multipath effects, by using distinct sets of resources for different reference signals. The method includes generating first reference signals and second reference signals, where the first reference signals are used for channel estimation and the second reference signals are used for other purposes such as synchronization or tracking. These signals are transmitted over different sets of resources, such as time slots, frequency bands, or spatial layers, to minimize interference and enhance signal separation. The receiving device processes the signals separately, using the first reference signals to estimate the channel and the second reference signals for additional tasks. This approach improves the reliability and accuracy of channel estimation, leading to better overall communication performance. The method is applicable in various wireless communication systems, including cellular networks, Wi-Fi, and other radio access technologies.

Claim 11

Original Legal Text

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the resources comprise physical resource blocks (PRBs).

Plain English Translation

A system and method for managing wireless communication resources in a network, particularly in scenarios involving interference mitigation and resource allocation. The invention addresses the challenge of efficiently allocating and utilizing physical resource blocks (PRBs) in wireless communication systems, such as those operating under LTE or 5G standards, to optimize network performance while minimizing interference. The method involves dynamically assigning PRBs to user equipment (UE) devices based on their communication requirements and the current network conditions. PRBs are discrete units of time-frequency resources used for data transmission in wireless networks. The system evaluates factors such as signal strength, interference levels, and UE mobility to determine the optimal allocation of PRBs. This ensures that each UE receives the necessary resources for reliable communication while avoiding conflicts with other devices. Additionally, the method may include techniques for reconfiguring PRB assignments in real-time to adapt to changing network conditions, such as fluctuations in traffic load or the movement of UEs. By intelligently managing PRBs, the system improves spectral efficiency, reduces latency, and enhances overall network capacity. The approach is particularly useful in dense urban environments where interference and resource contention are significant challenges. The invention may also incorporate feedback mechanisms from UEs to further refine PRB allocation decisions.

Claim 12

Original Legal Text

12. The method of claim 9 , wherein one of the first or the second reference signals are received via discovery resources.

Plain English Translation

A system and method for wireless communication involves receiving and processing reference signals to improve signal detection and synchronization in a wireless network. The technology addresses challenges in wireless communication where devices need to reliably detect and synchronize with reference signals in varying channel conditions. The method includes receiving a first reference signal and a second reference signal, where at least one of these signals is obtained via discovery resources. Discovery resources are specific time-frequency resources used for initial signal detection and synchronization. The first and second reference signals may be used for different purposes, such as initial cell search, timing synchronization, or channel estimation. The method further involves processing these signals to enhance signal detection accuracy and reduce synchronization errors. The use of discovery resources ensures that the reference signals are efficiently transmitted and received, even in environments with high interference or low signal strength. This approach improves the reliability and performance of wireless communication systems by ensuring robust signal detection and synchronization.

Claim 13

Original Legal Text

13. The method of claim 9 , wherein the PDCCH transmission indicates a state associated with the serving cell, wherein, in a first state associated with the serving cell, the first set of resources is active, and, in a second state associated with the serving cell, the second set of resources associated with the serving cell is active.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically methods for managing physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) transmissions in a cellular network. The problem addressed is the efficient allocation and activation of different sets of resources for a serving cell based on its operational state. The method involves transmitting a PDCCH signal that indicates a specific state of a serving cell. The serving cell can operate in at least two distinct states. In a first state, a first set of resources is activated for the serving cell, while in a second state, a second set of resources is activated instead. The PDCCH transmission serves as a control signal to dynamically switch between these resource sets, allowing the network to adapt to varying conditions such as traffic load, interference, or user device capabilities. The method ensures that the appropriate resources are allocated based on the current state of the serving cell, optimizing network performance and resource utilization. This approach enhances flexibility in resource management, enabling more efficient communication in wireless networks.

Claim 14

Original Legal Text

14. The WTRU of claim 6 , wherein the first type of signal comprises auxiliary synchronization signal (AuSS) and the second type of signal comprises channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS).

Plain English Translation

A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) is configured to receive and process different types of signals in a wireless communication system. The WTRU includes a receiver that obtains a first type of signal, such as an auxiliary synchronization signal (AuSS), and a second type of signal, such as a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS). The AuSS is used for synchronization purposes, helping the WTRU align its timing with the network. The CSI-RS is used for channel estimation, allowing the WTRU to measure the quality of the communication channel and provide feedback to the network. The WTRU processes these signals to maintain synchronization and optimize data transmission. The system may also include a transmitter for sending feedback or data based on the received signals. This configuration improves signal reliability and efficiency in wireless communications by leveraging different signal types for specific functions.

Patent Metadata

Filing Date

Unknown

Publication Date

September 3, 2019

Inventors

Paul Marinier
Ghyslain Pelletier
J. Patrick Tooher
Diana Pani

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